As the economy improves consumers are hitting the road and increasing their summer vacation budgets with 53 percent planning to spend more than $1,500 compared to 39 percent in 2011. Orbitz surveyed nearly 1,000 U.S. travelers about their summer travel plans and of those surveyed 77 percent are taking a vacation this summer  with more than half (56 percent) planning to travel by car and 39 percent by air. The majority of consumers (60 percent) said gas prices will be a factor in where they travel this summer.

Based on the Orbitz survey, more consumers are planning to travel in July (31 percent) rather than in June (18 percent) or August (20 percent) with the rest of travelers still undecided. With increased airfares and hotel rates this summer, researching deals and being flexible on travel dates can stretch summer vacation budgets. "Hotel prices in many of the most popular destination this summer are cheaper in June vs. July, including those in eight of the Orbitz top 10 summer destinations," said Jeanenne Tornatore, Senior Editor of Orbitz.com. "Travelers that can be flexible on travel dates should consider a June getaway when daily hotel rates are 6% less expensive, on average."

Orbitz Summer Travel Insider Index

The Orbitz Summer Travel Insider Index reveals the top 10 destinations for summer based on air bookings made on Orbitz.com from June 1 – August 31, 2012.  The Index also provides the average daily hotel rates in top markets based on the same travel period. Although hotel rates have increased 12 percent year-over-year in the top 10 summer destinations, there are travel bargains to be had with two of the top 10 hotspots offering  average rates under $100 per night (Las Vegas and Denver) and three more offering rates under $150 per night (Los Angeles, Orlando and Seattle).

Other highlights from the Orbitz Summer Travel Insider Index include:

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Las Vegas tops the list as the most popular destination for summer 2012 with affordable hotel rates ($95 per night) likely being a key factor.

Cancun is the only international destination making the top 10 list this summer.

Of the top 10 summer hotspots, Denver is the only city experiencing a decrease in average daily hotel rates.

New York jumped quite a few spots from the sixth most popular destination in 2011 to the number-two spot this year, whereas Orlando dropped from the number one to number three destination.